Mineralogy,genesis and diagenesis of a brecciated shaly clay from the Zechstein evaporite series of Germany

20 core samples from the dolomite-anhydrite sequence overlying the Werra-anhydrites (Zechstein 1) were examined. The formation consists of brecciated shaly clay in a groundmass of dolomite and anhydrite with small amounts of rocksalt. The drillhole is located near the village Bruennighausen (N. Germany) on the south west flank of a saltdome.Chlorites and illite are the only clay minerals present. Chlorites: three different varieties could be distinguished, predominate in the upper portion whereas the content of illite increases in the lower part. A regeneration of illite in the upper part of the profile has been found by comparison of the K₂O-content of the illite (9–10%=upper part, 8%=lower part). Diagenetic formation of quartz and feldspars was also observed throughout the profile. The ratio of authigenic quartz/detrital quartz deoreasss in lower part. At least two generations of dolomite have been found and also pseudomorphs of dolomite after gypsum.The investigations have shown, that the shaly clay was deposited in a saline environment. Diagenetic changes after deposition were due to increasing salinity of the pore solution of the sediment. Brecciation took place long after compaction of the clay. It was accompanied and followed by further diagenetic changes.